Weeks after Pope Francis death, Trump laughed off questions about AI-generated photo of him as pope. His dismissal comes on the eve of papal conclave.

An AI image of Trump as the pope, shared by him and the White House, drew backlash from Catholic leaders. While the White House defended him as “a staunch champion for Catholics,” US bishops called the post disrespectful after Pope Francis’ death.

Just hours after Vatican workers installed the chimney onto the roof of the Sistine Chapel in preparation for the Papal Conclave, which will begin on May 7 to select a new pope, the White House shared an AI-generated image of President Donald Trump in papal regalia on X,